Here we are again riding through this roller coaster season with the Rockets playing brilliantly at times and at other times looking like a bunch of 6 year olds at Calvin's basketball camp. Now we are at a moment of truth. The Rockets have played well recently and now they are up against a team that they should beat handily moving down towards the end of the season. If they come out and play well, it will be a sign that they are focused going down the stretch and will probably take the #6 playoff seeding. If they come out inconsistent, and selfish, and lose to an inferior team, then we are looking at this team spitting and sputtering down to the wire and fighting for the 7th or 8th spot down to the final week with quite probably an early 5 game dismissal from the playoffs. I really think the playoffs are a lock at this point. Portland would have to play over their heads to get past the Rockets and I don't see it happening. However, if the Rockets get into the playoffs just playing mediocre, they will have zero chance against any of the top 3 seeds. However, if they continue to play unselfishly, and Steve gets back his shooting touch, then they could present some problems in a 7 game series with SA. After watching this team play a much improved Portland team last night with the right atttitude and teamwork, it seems like they are really firing on all cylinders. Even with Yao in foul trouble, the whole team pulled together, moved the ball, played D, and took the game from Portland. I am looking forward to seeing them put Seattle away and continue on. If they do that, I think Memphis will continue to fade and #6 will be ours. #5 looks unattainable to me as it would require a substantial collapse by Dallas or LA and I just don't think that will happen. If Steve plays the way he did last night, and Yao continues to play like he has since slightly before the AS game, #6 should be our seeding and hopefully LA creeps up and passes San Antonio for #3. Houston and LA in round one would be the best chance we have of advancing on, as long as the Mailman is still hurt. Seattle will tell us a lot.
They should beat Seattle tomorrow. The Sonics have been playing like crap lately. Plus they're missing Brent Barry which should weaken their passing and 3-point attack. As far as the 5th seed is concerned, I agree it's a long shot. But it is still possible to catch the Mavs or Fakers. Dallas has a brutal March schedule and L.A. is the one team the Rockets could still gain a season series tiebreaker against. The only way the Spurs fall below 5th place is if Duncan misses any extended period of time.
If we take the Seattle game, and any of the 3 after that, I'm pretty sure we can lock up 6th. Seattle are on a downer right now. Unfortunately, they're a streaky team and their 2 main guys, Allen and Lewis, both shot horrible from the fiel last night. Meaning I hope they don't make up for it against us with some incredible shooting, because we're not capable of dealing with a team that's on fire from 3-pt range. If we can suck the energy out of them right from the start, it will be an easy win. But we really need to put them away early. I've said this before, I'm hoping Steve starts to really click into the system the way the cap of a pen clicks onto a pen. If that happens, we're looking at going into the playoffs with some excellent road experience, 6th seed, and Francis feeling like making up forthe whole season.
This game will tell us who we'll likely trade next season, how good of a translator Pine is and how many people on this board would like to have Rashard Lewis on the team.
Overall I think we are making a lot of progress. I like JVG and his concpet of responsibility and letting the results speak for themselves. Steve is making progress. Room to grow, but progress is obvious. Same for holdoverrs Mobley, Cato and Taylor. Ming is so clearly developing (Thank you for forcing him to play inside and not settle for the high pick and roll outside shot that seems to be so natural). New guys like Jackson and Spoon are clearly assets. Pike and Griffinn show promise. I look at how well Memphis is doing, in Hubies second season, and I marvel at where we will be a year from now. But waht I saw last night was the Rocks pulling out to a big lead, and to pulling away at crunch time. In between Steve took a goofy hook shot, We were going for flash lobs, at one point Steve struck a pose for getting the ball across half court right on the stroke of 16. During that time we played down to the level (at best) of an inferior team. Untill we go all out (physical and mental) 100% of the time, we will not move out of teh first round. That is waht last night showed me. But still I am optimistic.
Seattle lost to the Suns last night...we lost to the Suns too..but without Steve. I think we should win. Hopefully we will win! The Sonics looked horrible last night..but the Sonics and Suns both play similar styles..we cannot let the Sonics shoot open 3's..our interior defense is great. I just hope we can beat the Spurs or Mavericks just once..Lakers Twolves Pacers yes. And I think we can beat the Kings.
Tim Duncan was put on the injured list yesterday. Maybe the 5th seed is not unattainable now ? Though i know it will not likely happen..
I don't think tonight's game means as much as the last two... I think we were primed for one of our typical letdowns against Cleveland and Portland. Cleveland has been improving and the Rockets were on the second night of their second back-to-back. Portland was on a 5 game win streak. It has been a month now since we have experienced a slump. In February the Rockets beat every single team that they should have, except the first game of the month which was Phoenix. Our only losses are to Phoenix (1), San Antonio (2), and Dallas (1).
Memphis has won 7 of their last 10 games.... same as us. They have a 35-24 record... same as us. And the biggest problem is that we matchup worse with Memphis than any other team in the league, so it will be hard to gain ground on them if we lose our remaining games against them.
I think it is an important game. Seattle has beaten us and we look nervous against them. It's important not only for the standings but also for the psyche of the team.
